I N D E N G 006 P P T

LET’S MAKE WAVES!

WATER CONSERVATION PROJECTMODERN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, KOLKATA

Anisha, Ankita, Avani, Tanvi and VedikaMentor Teacher: Amita Prasad

STEP 1:FEELThe Design for Change Team discussed a number of problems and

decided to work on the problem of growing water scarcity.

The students referred to books and the internet to analyze the nature and gravity of the problem:

•One-third of the world is suffering from water shortage•The scarcity results from an imbalance between water consumption and available resources•Water conservation is the most cost effective way to tackle this crisis

•The day is perhaps not far away when we will have to buy all our drinking water

The team undertook an audit in School to study areas where water is being wasted – and approximately how much – so that they could work out what needs to be done.

The students undertook a similar audit in their homes to identify areas where water is being wasted:

Taps left open while brushing their teeth Long showers Unused drinking water thrown away Taps running while utensils or clothes are washed

STEP 2: IMAGINE

The students discussed various ways to reduce wastage of water and to promote greater efficiency in its utilization.Some of the ideas that were generated were:

Installing new cisterns in the toilets in school and in their homes which use less water Persuading people not to use washing machines, but to hand wash clothes instead, as that uses less water Replace domestic appliances (including shower heads) which use too much water with more water efficient models Speak to the Municipal Authorities about stopping water from gushing out from outlets on the roadside

Finally, the students decided to implement, for the time being, only those ideas which did not involve any expense and which they could do on their own.

STEP 3: DOAs a first step, the students resolved to stop wasting water themselves…

They pledged to:

Cut down on shower time everyday Use a bucket and mug at least once a week instead of a shower Never leave taps running while brushing their teeth Close any running tap they see – even if they have not left it open themselves Report any leaks they notice in school or at home, so they can be fixed Stop “water fights” Take only as much water as they plan to drink so that the rest is not thrown away

Some students wrote poems or articles to reinforce their belief that water conservation is a pressing need

The next step was to spread the message of the need to conserve water among their peers. This was done through presentations at Assembly at different levels (approximately 1050 students from Classes III to VIII) and displaying posters in prominent places in the school (another 700 students and 120 teachers).

The students studied the rain water harvesting system recently installed in our school and suggested means by which it could be used more efficiently. They also analyzed the feasibility of introducing a similar system in their own homes.

The students reported on how they were attempting to cut down water consumption in their homes:

Checks in the kitchen to ensure that dishes are soaked before washing to reduce water consumption Persuading domestic help to use less water while swabbing the floor Checks to see that taps are not left running while clothes are washed Using “left over” water to water plants

Many students reported that water wastage had been significantly cut down in their homes

The final step was to spread the message of the need for water conservation in their neighbourhoods. The number of people thus sensitized is impossible to determine. Students displayed posters in their apartment buildings on notice boards and other prominent places Some students went from door to door speaking to their neighbours on simple steps that can be taken to stop wastage of water

It was raining the other day… I saw Arthita and other children of our building collecting rain water in buckets and storing them under the staircase… They asked the guard to use this stored water to wash all the cars the next morning… I was amazed at their endeavour and have pledged to help them in their noble task… I thank Arthita for her innovative idea and wish her good luck.

I have spoken to the caretaker of my building … earlier, a lot of water was

wasted as the hose pipe was often left open after the

garden had been watered… now the main tap is closed

promptly.

“When I saw the poster and spoke to Nekita, I felt ashamed of how much water I must have wasted over the years…I think we should all learn how to save water”

Our students designed banners and placards which are being displayed outside the school building in an attempt to bring home the message to the community at large. Since our school is located on a major thoroughfare in the city, the reach of such messages is tremendous.

Our students have decided to continue their work on the Water Conservation Project through their Environmental Education and SUPW Classes in school and by taking on more ambitious schemes with the help of their parents at home. Many of them feel that they will never take water for granted any more – and have pledged that they will do whatever they can to conserve it.

Our Principal Devi Kar says:The very idea of children trying to change their lives themselves appealed to us so strongly that we decided to take up the DFC project immediately. Now we are hoping that the tremendous spirit generated by the project will stay with the school community. We look forward to many more desirable changes being effected by our children.